Tesco's 80 Litre Plastic Boxes

[daizeUK]

I bought one of these 80L plastic boxes today for £7.50.  I'm going to use it to store spare fish accessories in but I'm also hoping to use it as a tank to cycle a new external filter and maybe even as a temporary tank for fish in the future should I need it!
 
Only one thing worries me, I don't know if it's a 'safe' sort of plastic?  Has anybody else used one of these storage boxes to keep fish in?

 

[IonaMcCluskey]

i used one of them for a while to stand my water to dechlorinate. i didn't see any adverse affects on my fish from it and i did keep two fish over night in it once.
however, i did buy a glass tank to replace it for standing my water as the sides seriously bellied out when it was full of water.

 

[KirkyArcher]

Yep, I had one, also have two 20 litre ones for smaller water changes, 80 litre one I had did actually split due in part to me trying to manoeuvre it while relatively full, (plastic is aquatic life safe or rather no ill effects showed up as a result from using it)
I now have an 84 Litre Really Useful Plastic Storage Box from Viking (B&Q)  It was twice the price but is of considerably more robust construction, (KirkyProof)

 

[DreamertK]

I heard that after a few months to half a year they start leaching plastic/toxic materials into the water. I don't have any first hand experience though.

 

[Sophie]

I use fermenting bins and plastic 25L jerrys for all my fishy needs.
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Wine-Making-Fermentation/dp/B001QMO02A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1379253138&sr=8-4&keywords=fermenting+bin
 
Has an LCD temperature indicator on the side which is super handy
You can get fermenting bins larger too.
My family have used them for years and years, for transporting large fish and water changes etc and never had any ill effects.
 
 

I heard that after a few months to half a year they start leaching plastic/toxic materials into the water. I don't have any first hand experience though.

 
 
The other reason I got it, as stated above was the fact it says this: Fully Printed Opaque Food Grade Plastic For Easy Viewing Of Liquid Level 
 
I believe that means that it's safe for storing liquids and food etc as the plastic will not leak into it and is not harmful to us in anyway, so I wouldn't be shy of saying it's ok for our fish too.
 
Source: http/www.stainlesslife.com.au/pages/What-Is-Food-Grade-Plastic%3F.html

 

[levahe]

I'm pretty sure those tesco containers are made out of polypropylene, if so they are safe. Check underneath for a mark, it should look like a recycle symbol and PP

 

[fluttermoth]

I was told that you should lick them

Seriously, if they don't taste of anything, they should be safe; unsafe ones will taste bitter.

I have done this in shops before now 

 

[KirkyArcher]

urgh!  (that's just not right)

 

[daizeUK]

They do indeed have a PP symbol underneath, sounds good.  I'll keep in mind about the weak sides though, I guess they're not designed to cope with that kind of pressure but they should serve for short periods.
 
I did try putting my tongue on one... not in the shop though

we already had one for my kids train set so I tested that and it seemed okay, not completely tasteless though.  Unlike my water change buckets which seemed to taste bitter but they are PP too... so I don't know

 

[Liv15]

I guess only experience will give you the answer but its good to be safe and good luck, hope it works out.

 

[wrightt3]

I wouldn't risk it. After all, Tesco: very little helps

 

[Ch4rlie]

I was told that you should lick them

Seriously, if they don't taste of anything, they should be safe; unsafe ones will taste bitter.

I have done this in shops before now 

 

lol 

 
Can just imagine walking along the shop aisle stopping at each plastic box and licking it and the odd stares from staff and customers!